Post-exposure prophylaxis

• Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a short course of HIV medicines taken very soon after a possible exposure to HIV.
• It should be started within 72 hours (three days) after you were exposed to HIV.
• PEP should be used only in emergency situations.
• It is not meant for regular use by people who may be exposed to HIV frequently.
• If you are prescribed PEP, you will need to take the HIV medicines every day (same time) for 28 days.
• You will also need to return to your health care provider at certain times while taking PEP and after you finish taking it for HIV testing and other tests.
• PEP is effective in preventing HIV infection when it is taken correctly, but it is not 100% effective.
• While taking PEP, it is important to keep using other HIV prevention methods, such as using condoms the right way every time you have sex.

When to take PEP

• If you have been exposed to HIV during sex (for example, a condom broke)
• If you have shared needles or works to prepare drugs
• If you were sexually assaulted
• If you were exposed to HIV while performing health care work (for example, from a needlestick injury)

PEP treatment

• Emtricitabine 200 mg, Tenofovir 300 mg daily, and Raltegravir 400 mg twice a day

OR

• Lamivudine 150 mg, Zidovudine 300 mg and Alluvia (Lopinavir/ritonavir 200/50 mg) twice daily

• Lamivudine 300 mg, Tenofovir 300 mg and Dolutegravir 50 mg daily

Please note that Student Health Services does not offer PEP; you will be referred to the clinic that offers the service.

Side effects

• Diarrhoea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Nephrotoxicity
• Headache
• Jaundice
• Fatigue

Post-exposure prophylaxis self-questionnaire